Arla Foods Ingredients has entered into a new supply arrangement with Belgian dairy cooperative Milcobel. Milcobel will provide the ingredient supplier with whey protein retentate sourced from its mozzarella production facility in Langemark.
 
Arla Foods Ingredients will refine the raw material to produce specialty ingredients for high-end protein markets, such as milk fat globule membrane for infant formulas and whey protein hydrolysates for medical nutrition.
 
“The starting point for this agreement was the growing demand for high-quality specialty protein ingredients,” said Henrik Andersen, CEO of Arla Foods Ingredients. “We chose to work with Milcobel because of the very high standards to which it operates and the security of supply it offers. This is another great example of dairy cooperatives working together for the benefit of their members. It will also provide major new opportunities for our customers, particularly in the medical and early life nutrition sectors.”
 

“We’re delighted to partner with Arla Foods Ingredients – a company committed to innovation and an expert in specialist protein ingredients,” said Francis Relaes, managing director, Milcobel Premium Ingredients. “For Milcobel, this is a further reinforcement of our strategy and a significant step up in the valorization of our whey stream, which will translate to added value for our dairy farmer members. We take great pride in knowing that our whey will be used in high-value products for infant and medical nutrition.
 
“The commitment of our dairy farmers to supply milk of consistent high quality, coupled with the commercial skills and technical expertise of our teams, gives us a unique position in the global mozzarella market. As such, Milcobel is the perfect partner to supply whey protein retentate,” Relaes continued.